20 Grey Inks

[visvamitra]

Hi,

I'd like to present the comparison of 20 grey inks.

To be honest, I don't like grey and I don't use it. I don't own a single bottle of grey ink Yet I've managed to gather quite a lot of samples and decided to make some use of them.

I've made long introduction to this comparison on polish fountain pen forum but here I'll keep it simple and just say one thing: enjoy

One note: my sample of GREY FLANNEL was contaminated. I decided to leave this but just skip this ink. It's not how it really looks like.

If you like this comparison feel free to comment or to indicate your favourite greys.

ALL WRITTEN SAMPLES ARE MADE WITH PILOT 78G WITH BROAD NIB

INK SPLASHES

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/1338/wgRutR.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/3771/Gbwu2G.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/6152/X8CPNA.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/353/v7FP4f.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/2434/aWPg6u.jpg

COLOR "GEMS" CUT FROM THE SWAB PHOTO

http://imageshack.com/a/img536/1733/iDKbvl.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2241/Q0D85y.jpg

SWABS

http://imageshack.com/a/img631/5290/fAsx5H.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/381/v7punf.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img536/2843/gQJuWx.jpg

[visvamitra]

DROPS OF INK ON KITCHEN TOWEL

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/1546/OgExzG.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/7650/RMDuRc.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img536/2695/o4I79b.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/7353/5No1gn.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/7603/EIbswv.jpg

CALENDAR

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/2732/IdcLls.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/3383/Mba49M.jpg

RHODIA

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/8236/fBaex6.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img673/492/F4sfxp.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/3710/mdCVzG.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/2079/TGlAhd.jpg

OXFORD

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/1430/kpOAnN.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/972/bQfFFc.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/3572/AOybJP.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/9148/86khK6.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/5928/UUcKaK.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/4867/X9lXJ4.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img536/5297/qQ1rcx.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/3913/GXNdQH.jpg

POLJET

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/249/mHFgTw.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img539/3633/sgBTWB.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img539/3589/CVE5lv.jpg

CHEAP NOTEBOOK

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/7629/uyAm4b.jpg

WATEPROOFNESS

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/6352/qsz8t8.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img746/893/Tlx6gz.jpg

Surfing

http://imageshack.com/a/img913/5643/uRyU9h.jpg

After immersion

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/3830/nsbBX8.jpg

Five minutes after immersion

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/5075/N8R5Tn.jpg

After an hour

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/433/GWyePa.jpg

SUMMARY

I still don't really like grey color. There are however inks I find interesting, namely: Infinite Grey, Smokey, Stone Grey and Arsenic. I like Smokey best, it's a pity they no longer produce it cause I would consider getting a bottle.

 

I'm impressed by Lexington Grey's behaviour and waterproofness. It's incredible.

 

The worst ink in comparison is Gris Nuage - it's just not made for writing, it's too watery. It looks nice on drawings but I wouldn't recommend it for writing. Anthracite is one of ugliest colors I've ever seen.

What's your opinion? You can choose few inks from the poll

[chiaroscuro]

This is great! Many thanks. Hard to pick just one.

What typeface did you use in the "Gems," "Swabs" and "Waterproofness" images? It's really nice.

[plumista]

Once again, what a great job!

 

My first: GvFC and Lexington, ex aequo.

 

I miss: AlbertEinstein and Sailor (this last one my all-time favourite)

 

The best part of your review: the amazing and unexpectedly beautiful double-tones of several inks on kitchen paper-towel.

 

Please keep doing such comparisons!

 

plumista

[Hallel]

Voted. This is a lovely review

[Cyber6]

OMG.. I fell in love with Gris de Payne when I saw the ink splashes... But then, I can see is not a real writing ink... too light.

 

I am impressed with Lexington Grey... and is a real nice color too. I also like Szari (KWZI).. just cause is sooooo interesting.

 

 

Great job again.... I am loving your comparisons/reviews..

[watch_art]

Awesome comparison! I've never had so much fun looking at grey inks.

Now to get that bottle of Kiri Same (I've fallen in love with Iroshizuku).

[visvamitra]

@chiaroscuro - the font is called Apolonia

@plumista - I didn't managed to get Sailor. That's a pity cause their inks are amazibng. I also find ink drops amazing. To be honest I could limit myself to posting ink splashes, swabs and ink dropps on kitchen towel. But I add other scans just to show how the ink behaves in the same nib on different papers.

@Cyber6 - when I do reviews I use Pilot 78G with broad nib. It's dry writer and sometimes the ink has more character in medium or F nib. I use Pilot because it's extremely easy to clean BTW - thank you for SMokey. It's really nice.

I believe I'll try to get Fuyu-Gare by Sailor. It looks amazing too.

 

Oranges will be next. But before I post comparison of orange inks I'll post comparisons of Pelikan Edelstein and Stipulama Calamo full lines of ink.

 

I'm glad you enjoy my work, every comment makes it worth doing.

[Cyber6]

I didn't managed to get Sailor. That's a pity cause their inks are amazibng.

 

 

You are going to kick me... I had Sailor Grey... I was going to send you a sample... but when looking for it I remembered I traded it a few months ago...

 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2014 by Cyber6

[mallymal1]

Marvelous comparison, vismavitra.

 

I like grey inks, and my favourites would be PR Grey Flannel, Diamine Grey, and Iroshi Fuyu-syogun.

 

I was once recommended Gris Nuage, and like you, I found it too 'watery' for every day use.

 

After seeing your comparisons, I think I shall try the De Atramentis Silbergrau.

 

Thank you.

 

Malcolm

[Skyppere]

Best ink reveiw I've ever seen! I actually collect greys... a totally useless ink, indistinguishable from pencil but I still like it from some reason. There are several here that I don't have and one (Skrip) that isn't included here... but overall it's a terrific review! Thanks a LOT! Oh and I voted for Omas

skyppere

Edited August 2, 2014 by Skyppere

[chiaroscuro]

@chiaroscuro - the font is called Apolonia

@plumista - I didn't managed to get Sailor. That's a pity cause their inks are amazibng. I also find ink drops amazing. To be honest I could limit myself to posting ink splashes, swabs and ink dropps on kitchen towel. But I add other scans just to show how the ink behaves in the same nib on different papers.

@Cyber6 - when I do reviews I use Pilot 78G with broad nib. It's dry writer and sometimes the ink has more character in medium or F nib. I use Pilot because it's extremely easy to clean BTW - thank you for SMokey. It's really nice.

I believe I'll try to get Fuyu-Gare by Sailor. It looks amazing too.

 

Oranges will be next. But before I post comparison of orange inks I'll post comparisons of Pelikan Edelstein and Stipulama Calamo full lines of ink.

 

I'm glad you enjoy my work, every comment makes it worth doing.

Off -Topic: OK, so it's also A) a complete family, B ) free for non-commercial use, and C) has a great story. Thanks are in order

Edited August 2, 2014 by chiaroscuro

[attika89]

Amazing comparison again! I love these
I have only tried the GvFC Stone Grey, but I love it! Not too dark, yet not too light and shades beautifully.
For me the Diamines and the Lexington are what I would also try. The Iroshizukus are also very interesting, but I didn't get them because I thought they would be too light for me.
What I really want to try is the soon to be available J.Herbin anniversary grey.

Edited August 2, 2014 by attika89

[lapis]

Excellent review and/or comparison of so many greys! Thanks!! I was working on them myself -- and have in the meantime 42 greys, sorry -- so I think that your offering means that I can now get that off my chest. Maybe I might someday nevertheless do such a comparison myself. We'll see... ho. ho....

 

Mike

[visvamitra]

@Mike - I believe you should definitely do it 42 grey inks - that would be something. I didn't even know there is / was so many of them

[Azuniga]

Great review, thank you !!

As chiaroscuro wrote, it is hard to pick just one...

I cannot wait for the oranges...

[pen2paper]

Oyster and Lexington. Both capture my eye. Each serves a purpose.

[raging.dragon]

Awesome comparison! I've never had so much fun looking at grey inks.

Now to get that bottle of Kiri Same (I've fallen in love with Iroshizuku).

 

I got samples of both Iroshizuku greys a few years ago. I didn't like the colours enough to buy full bottles, if I recall correctly, they were slightly wet, well lubricated and well behaved inks (like most other Iroshizuku inks).

[visvamitra]

After twenty four hours of soaking rhodia in the water situation looks like that:

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/7531/qZZkKv.jpg

I must say that Lexington Grey is INCREDIBLE. It's a pity Infinite Grey has zero waterproofness because I enjoy this color.

[JonSzanto]

When you are up to fifty shades, give me a call...